Updated May 10, 2007

Parks and People

Please note that Historic Bridge Park will be closed on June 4th & 5th for the moving of the Charlotte Highway Bridge

Date: Saturday, June 30, 2007
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Historic Bridge Park

14930 9 Mile Road (Wattles Road) south of Michigan Avenue east of Battle Creek in Emmett Township

We hope to have our Charlotte Highway Bridge in place spanning the entrance to the park - Come and enjoy a piece of history with us!

Each year the Calhoun County Road Commission sponsors a living history demonstration at the Historic Bridge Park that provides a glimpse of lost manufacturing and industrial building techniques such as riveting, forge welding and blacksmithing.  The public also gets a chance to experience the craftsmanship of rare historic road bridges that have been restored using the same building techniques that were developed 100 years ago.  There is music, food, displays and live demonstrations for the public to enjoy.  

Forge Welding and Blacksmithing - Focuses on techniques that are especially important for creating the distinctive eye-bars that serve as tension members for bridges such as the 133rd Avenue Bridge.  Other blacksmithing arts are also demonstrated.

Heating and Straightening - Highlights the effect of heat on steel when applied in just the right way to make a bent beam straight again.  

Two separate demonstrations introduce visitors to 1) the use of flame alone, applied with a handheld torch, and 2) the application of force provided by hydraulic jacks to assist the heat in doing its work.    

Riveting - Brings to life the not-so-distant days of the rivet gang.  Heater, Catcher, Bucker, and Driver, work together to  drive home rivets to assemble bridge parts.